Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Geography

Q.9 What are border roads? Mention its Two importances.

Ans. Strategically important roads in The bordering areas of the country are called border roads. These roads are in The northern and northeastern border areas. Importance of Border roads: -

1) Border roads have improved Accessibility in areas of difficult terrain.2) They have helped in the economic Development of border areas.3) Used to supply military equipments to The borders of our country.

Q.10 State any four problems of Road transport in the country.Ans. Major problems are:i. Road transportation in India is Inadequate keeping in view the volume of traffic and passengers.Ii. About half of the roads are Un-mettal and this limits their usage during the rainy season.iii. The National Highways... Continue reading "Comprehensive Guide to Transportation in India: Roads, Railways, and Pipelines" »

Continents of the World

Europe

Relief:

• Alps
• Carpathians
• Caucasus
• Ural Mountains
• Great European Plain

Water:

• Rhine River
• Danube River
• Dnieper River
• Don River
• Volga River
• Lake Ladoga

Climate:

• Mediterranean
• Forest
• Continental
• High Mountains

Landscape:

• Mediterranean Forest
• Deciduous Forest
• Prairies
• Woodland

Fauna:

• Wild Pigs
• Eagles
• Foxes
• Bulls
• Rabbits

Asia

Relief:

• Himalayas
• Plateau of Tibet
• Mount Everest
• Siberian Plateau
• The Archipelago of Japan

Water:

• Yenisey River
• Lena River
• Yangtze River
• Amur River
• Euphrates River
• Ganges River

Climate:

• Dry
• Equatorial
• Tropical
• Desert
• Mediterranean

Landscape:

• Deciduous Forest
• Steppe
• Taiga
• Savanna
• Tundra

Fauna:

• Pandas
• Tigers
• Asian Elephants
• Bears
• Deer

Africa

Relief:

• Rifts
• Valleys
• Drakensberg
• Sahara Desert

Water:

• Nile River
• Niger River
• Congo River
• Lake Victoria
• Orange River

Climate:

• Mediterranean
• Desert
• Equatorial
• Tropical

Natural Cycles

In nature, chemical elements vital to life, such as oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, are neither made nor destroyed. They are recycled, moving round and round in the natural world in the form of minerals and nutrients. On land, they move from the soil into the plants, then into animals that eat plants, and then sometimes into other animals that eat plant-eating animals. Minerals and nutrients return to the soil either through an animal’s droppings, or whenever any plant or animal dies and rots away. Microorganisms in the soil, such as bacteria, play an important part in releasing the nutrients and minerals from the decaying matter.

Polar Lands

The North Pole is surrounded by the permanently icy Arctic Ocean. At the opposite end of... Continue reading "Natural Cycles and Diverse Ecosystems" »

The Early Modern Age (1453-1789)

Economy

Societies began to experience:

• Increased Agricultural Production: The three-field system was maintained.
• Intensified Commercial Activity: Increased agricultural production resulted in a surplus (excess food production). Products were sold in city markets, and new trade routes appeared.
• Expansion of Craftsmanship: The domestic system was created.
• New Products were brought to Europe.

• Development of Mercantile Capitalism: An economic system in which capital belonged to private owners. Economic growth led to the development of banking.
• Providing Loans: Bankers lent money in exchange for the return of the same amount plus interest.
• New Forms of Payment: The bill of exchange was created (a document that guaranteed

Age of Industrialisation Proto Industrialisation

The period of industrialization before the first factories came up in Europe is termed as proto-industrialization. This period was marked by merchants from towns getting products made in villages.

Reasons for focus of merchants on villages:

• Powerful trade and craft guilds in urban areas
• Controlled competition and prices
• Prevented entry of new players in the market

Features of proto-industrialization in Britain:

• Merchants supplied money to the peasants in the countryside
• Peasants motivated to produce products for an international market
• Land becoming scarce in villages
• Peasants looking for additional sources of income

The Coming Up Of Factory

The earliest factories in England came up in the 1730s. By late... Continue reading "Proto-Industrialization and the Rise of Factories in Britain and India" »

In the feudal system, the king, the nobles, the clerics, and peasants all had different responsibilities and rights. Basically, the system consists of:

• Somebody gave protection/land to someone else.
• In exchange, the other had to fight or work for their protection.

The King

The king was the ruler of the country and owned all the land. However, he didn't have a big army and was weak. This is why he needed the noblemen and their armies.

The Noblemen

The noblemen were the vassals of the king. They promised obedience and loyalty to the king in the ceremony of homage. They provided knights and in return received a land (fief). In their lands, as lords, they acted as judges and collected taxes for themselves.

Knights

Knights were less important nobles, were... Continue reading "Feudal System: Roles and Responsibilities of King, Nobles, and Peasants" »

The Kyoto Protocol: Reducing Greenhouse Gases

The Kyoto Protocol (KP) is a UN international treaty committing State Parties to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (primarily CO2) to combat global warming. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997.

Specific Goals and Challenges

• Initial Goal (2005–2012): To reduce the collective emission of greenhouse gases to a limit compared to 1990 levels.
• Extension (2012): The KP was technically extended until 2020, but its impact was limited to only 15% of global CO2 emissions.

Reasons for Limited Participation

This limitation was due to the lack of participation from many industrialized and emerging countries, including:

• USA
• Canada
• Japan
• Russia
• Belarus
• Ukraine
• New Zealand
• China
• India
• Brazil

The Paris Agreement (Post-Kyoto

Primary Wastewater Treatment: Physical Process

Following preliminary treatment, sewage water is pumped into the primary sedimentation tank. In this tank, the sedimentation of suspended solids and organic matter occurs. Approximately 50-70% of the solids settle down, leading to a reduction of about 30-40% in coliform organisms.

The organic matter that settles is called primary sludge, which is then removed by mechanically operated devices. The supernatant (effluent) remaining in the primary sedimentation tank still contains significant amounts of dissolved organic matter and microorganisms, which are subsequently removed during secondary treatment.

Ex Situ Conservation: Protecting Endangered Species

When a species becomes critically endangered,... Continue reading "Biodiversity Protection and Wastewater Management Strategies" »

Global Impact of 19th Century Imperialism

Imperialism's Effects on Metropoles and Colonies

The consequences of Imperialism differed significantly for the metropoles (colonizing powers) and the dominated nations (colonies).

Positive Outcomes for Imperial Powers (Metropoles)

Colonialism was generally positive for the metropoles. It provided:

• Political Power: Increased global influence and prestige.
• Economic Wealth: Access to raw materials and new markets for manufactured goods.
• Social Stability: Greater social peace domestically.
• Knowledge: Exposure to and knowledge of other civilizations.

However, this expansion also intensified international political and economic confrontations that would ultimately lead to World War I.

Negative Consequences for Colonized

Defining Culture

Culture is a set of customs typical of a country. It involves the ability to transmit knowledge, beliefs, laws, and morals. It is a collection of traditions, rules, and a way of living.

United States at a Glance

Demographics and Geography

• Area: 9 million km²
• Population: 300 million people
• Urban Population: 82% of the population resides in cities

Ethnic Composition

• White: 72% of the population
• Latino: 16%
• African American: 12.6%
• Asian: 4.8%
• Native American: Below 1%

Basic Knowledge

• The USA is composed of 50 states.
• The last state admitted was Hawaii.
• Five Biggest Cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, and Philadelphia.
• New York Population: 8 million
• Los Angeles Population: 4 million

US Government and History

Foundations of Government

• First